"Reveal the Face of the Three Mothers' Murderer" Angry Blue House Petition... Is It Possible to Disclose Personal Information Like Go Yoo-jeong?

"Rapid Personal Information Disclosure" Surpasses 110,000 Agreements on Blue House Petition
Decision Made by 'Personal Information Disclosure Deliberation Committee'
Previously, Personal Information of Heinous Criminals Goyu-jeong and Choi Sin-jong Also Disclosed
Police Plan Full Investigation After Suspect's Recovery

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Voices demanding the public disclosure of personal information of suspect A (24), a man in his 20s who murdered three women from the same family in an apartment complex in Nowon-gu, Seoul, are growing louder. In fact, in some cases of violent crime suspects, personal information such as names and faces has been disclosed for public interest purposes. However, whether A's personal information will actually be disclosed is expected to be decided based on the results of the police review process.

On the 26th, a petition titled "Please disclose the personal information of the male suspect in his 20s in the Nowon family triple murder case" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of the 29th, the petition has surpassed 110,000 signatures.

The petitioner stated, "Women, who die by the dozens every day, are exposed to many crimes because they are 'relatively vulnerable,'" and added, "Currently, articles about the 'Nowon three women murder case' are gradually increasing, but the world seems strangely quiet. It should not be quiet. It should not be overlooked."

They continued, "In this case, the suspect is currently undergoing treatment after attempting self-harm, so nothing has been properly revealed yet, but it is a confirmed fact that three family members were killed," and emphasized, "It is also a confirmed fact that the crime was committed with intent. I urge the prompt disclosure of the suspect's personal information."

A suspect in the Nowon three mothers murder case, Mr. A, has received over 100,000 signatures on a national petition requesting the disclosure of his identity. / Photo by National Petition Board Capture

According to the Nowon Police Station in Seoul, at around 9 p.m. on the 25th, three people related as mother and daughters were found dead in an apartment in Nowon-gu. Suspect A was found collapsed with serious injuries after attempting self-harm with a weapon in the living room of the apartment. A was later transferred to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery.

While being transported to the hospital, A reportedly told the police that the crime was committed on the 23rd. The police also found a weapon believed to have been used in the crime at the scene.

Police investigation revealed that A met B, the eldest daughter among the deceased women, through an online game. It was confirmed that after A unilaterally demanded a relationship with B and was rejected, he harbored resentment and committed the crime.

As the possibility of stalking crime has been raised, calls for the disclosure of A's personal information are increasing. The disclosure of a suspect's personal information can be decided through procedures under the "Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes."

Ko Yoo-jeong (36), who was arrested on charges of murdering her ex-husband, is leaving the Jeju Eastern Police Station detention center and moving to the statement recording room. / Photo by Yonhap News

According to current law, the decision to disclose a suspect's personal information is made by the "Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee" under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, composed of internal and external members such as police officers and lawyers. The suspect's name and face can be disclosed if it is judged necessary for public interest such as guaranteeing the public's right to know and crime prevention, provided that △the crime method is cruel and the damage is serious, and △there is sufficient evidence to believe the suspect committed the crime.

In fact, the committee decided to disclose the personal information of Go Yu-jeong, the suspect in the Jeju "ex-husband murder case," on June 5, 2019. Two days later, on June 7, Go's face was exposed to the media cameras for the first time.

In May of last year, the personal information of Choi Sin-jong, who brutally serially murdered women in Jeonju and Busan, was also disclosed.

Meanwhile, the police plan to proceed with a full investigation after confirming through medical opinions that A has recovered enough to be questioned.

The police have obtained an arrest warrant and a search warrant for A's mobile phone. They also plan to request digital forensic analysis of the mobile phone from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to investigate the exact circumstances of the case.